US20200192104A1 - Augmented reality image device - Google Patents
Augmented reality image device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20200192104A1 US20200192104A1 US16/224,766 US201816224766A US2020192104A1 US 20200192104 A1 US20200192104 A1 US 20200192104A1 US 201816224766 A US201816224766 A US 201816224766A US 2020192104 A1 US2020192104 A1 US 2020192104A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- image light
- reflector
- augmented reality
- display
- eye
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 230000003190 augmentative effect Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 35
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 208000003464 asthenopia Diseases 0.000 description 2
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000004973 liquid crystal related substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000515 polycarbonate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004417 polycarbonate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
- G02B27/01—Head-up displays
- G02B27/017—Head mounted
- G02B27/0172—Head mounted characterised by optical features
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
- G02B27/01—Head-up displays
- G02B27/017—Head mounted
- G02B27/0176—Head mounted characterised by mechanical features
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
- G02B27/01—Head-up displays
- G02B27/0101—Head-up displays characterised by optical features
- G02B2027/0132—Head-up displays characterised by optical features comprising binocular systems
- G02B2027/0134—Head-up displays characterised by optical features comprising binocular systems of stereoscopic type
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
- G02B27/01—Head-up displays
- G02B27/0149—Head-up displays characterised by mechanical features
- G02B2027/015—Head-up displays characterised by mechanical features involving arrangement aiming to get less bulky devices
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an augmented reality image device for generating a virtual image so that a user can see the virtual image with a real image through the augmented reality image device.
- AR augmented reality
- Apple Inc. has released ARkit application interface in 2017.
- existing AR devices are often too heavy or too large. How to design a lighter augmented reality device is a topic of concern to those skilled in the art.
- Embodiments of the invention provide an augmented reality image device including a display having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side; a mirror disposed at the first side of the display; at least one reflector disposed at the second side of the display; and a front mask disposed at the first side of the display, in which the front mask has a reflection area.
- the display emits image light from the first side to the mirror, the image light is reflected by the mirror to the reflector, and the reflector reflects the image light to the reflection area of the front mask. Accordingly a virtual image caused by the image light in the reflection area is combined with a real image to generate an augmented reality image.
- the front mask has a reflecting layer including coating films with different refractive index.
- An average reflectance of the reflecting layer for unpolarized light with wavelength in a range from 400 nm to 700 nm is greater than 50%.
- the reflector includes a first reflector and a second reflector.
- the image light includes left-eye image light and right-eye image light. The left-eye image light is reflected by the mirror to the first reflector, and the right-eye image light is reflected by the mirror to the second reflector.
- the reflection area of the front mask includes a left-eye reflection area and a right-eye reflection area.
- the first reflector reflects the left-eye image light to the left-eye reflection area
- the second reflector reflects the right-eye image light to the right-eye reflection area.
- the left-eye image light and the right-eye image light is focused at a distance from a side of the front mask opposite to the display.
- the distance is substantially one meter.
- the display has a display surface for emitting the image light.
- An angle between the display surface and a surface of the front mask is less than or equal to 45 degrees.
- the mirror is disposed between the display and the front mask.
- An angle between the mirror and a surface of the front mask is less than or equal to 45 degrees.
- the augmented reality image device further includes a support against a noise of a user, in which the reflector is integrated to the support.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of an augmented reality image device in accordance with an embodiment.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the augmented reality image device in accordance with an embodiment.
- FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the augmented reality image device for illustrating a light path in accordance with an embodiment.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of an augmented reality image device in accordance with an embodiment.
- an augmented reality image device 100 includes a display 110 , a mirror 120 , a first reflector 131 , a second reflector 132 , and a front mask 140 .
- the display 110 may be an organic light-emitting diode (OLEO) display, a liquid crystal display or other devices capable of providing image light.
- the mirror 120 , the first reflector 131 , and the second reflector 132 may include glass, reflective coating, or other films and units that reflect light.
- the front mask 140 is at the front of the user.
- the material of the front mask 140 may include glass, resin or, polycarbonate.
- the augmented reality image device 100 is implemented based on a snow mask in some embodiments, but the augmented reality image device 100 may have any appearance in other embodiments.
- the size, shape, and material of the augmented reality image device 100 are not limited in the invention.
- the display 110 has a first side 110 a and a second side 110 b opposite to the first side 110 a .
- the mirror 120 and the front mask 140 are disposed at the first side 110 a .
- the mirror 120 is disposed between the display 110 and the front mask 140 .
- the first reflector 131 and the second reflector 132 are disposed at the second side 110 b .
- the display 110 emits image light 150 which includes left-eye image light 151 and right-eye image light 152 in some embodiments. Note that the left-eye image light 151 and the right-eye image light 152 are emitted by the same display 110 instead of two independent displays that are used in prior art. Accordingly, the augmented reality image device 100 has an advantage of lighter weight.
- the left-eye image light 151 and the right-eye image light 152 is emitted to the mirror 120 which reflects the left-eye image light 151 and the right-eye image light 152 to the first reflector 131 and the second reflector 132 respectively.
- the first reflector 131 and the second reflector 132 reflects the image light 150 to the front mask 140 which projects part of the image light 150 into the user's eyes so that user can see a virtual image.
- light 170 from outside of the front mask 140 is emitted into the eyes, and thus the user also sees a real image which is combined with the virtual image to produce an augmented reality image.
- the front mask 140 has a first surface 141 and a second surface 142 opposite to the first surface 141 which faces the display 110 .
- a reflecting layer 143 is disposed on the first surface 141 .
- the reflecting layer 143 includes multiple coating films with different refractive index where the coating films with high refractive index and the coating films with low refractive are disposed alternatively.
- An average reflectance of the reflecting layer 143 with respect to unpolarized light having wavelength in a range from 400 nm to 700 nm is greater than 50% because the wavelength of 400 nm to 700 nm is visible light, and the image rendered on the reflecting layer 143 may not be clear if the reflectance of the reflecting layer 143 is too low.
- the reflecting layer 143 has a first reflection area 161 and a second reflection area 162 .
- the first reflector 131 reflects the left-eye image light 151 to the left-eye reflection area 161 which projects part of the left-eye image light 151 into the left eye of the user.
- the second reflector 132 reflects the right-eye image light 152 to the right-eye reflection area 162 which projects part of the right-eye image light 152 into the right eye of the user.
- left-eye reflection area 161 and the right-eye reflection area 162 are just exemplary. The sizes, shapes, and locations of the left-eye reflection area 161 and the right-eye reflection area 162 are not limited in the invention. In some embodiments, the left-eye reflection area 161 and the right-eye reflection area 162 are connected to the each other.
- the left-eye image light 151 and the right-eye image light 152 is focused at a distance D from a side of the front mask 140 opposite to the display 110 through focus adjustment.
- the user would “see” the virtual image at the distance D.
- the image light 150 is focused at the reflecting layer 143 which is too close to the eyes, and thus the user may quickly feel the visual fatigue.
- the virtual image is focused at the distance D, and therefore the visual fatigue is reduced.
- the distance D is substantially 1 meter (with error within 20%). In other embodiments, the distance D may also be 80 centimeters, 2 meters or any other values.
- there is a disparity between the content of the left-eye image light 151 and the content of the right-eye image light 152 such that the virtual image has three-dimensional object.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the augmented reality image device in accordance with an embodiment.
- the augmented reality image device 100 also includes a support 160 in some embodiments.
- the support 160 is against the nose of the user, and the first reflector 131 is integrated to the support 160 .
- the first reflector 131 locates above the bridge of the nose.
- FIG. 2 is a side view, and therefore only the first reflector 131 is illustrated.
- the second reflector 132 (not shown in FIG. 2 ) is disposed on another support at the other side of the nose.
- the device includes only one reflector at either side of the nose. In that case, the display 110 emits only one ray, instead of two, of the image light, which is not limited in the invention.
- FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the augmented reality image device for illustrating a light path in accordance with an embodiment.
- the image light 150 is emitted by the display 110 to the mirror 120 .
- the mirror 120 reflects the image light 150 to the first reflector 131 and the second reflector 132 .
- the image light is reflected by the first reflector 131 and the second reflector 132 to the reflection areas of the front mask 140 .
- the display 110 and the mirror 120 are approximately vertical oriented, and thus the horizontal thickness of the augmented reality image device 100 is reduced.
- the display 110 has a display surface 310 for emitting the image light 150 .
- An angle ⁇ between the display surface 310 and the first surface 141 of the front mask is less than or equal to 45 degrees.
- an angle between the mirror 120 and the first surface 141 is also less than or equal to 45 degrees.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to an augmented reality image device for generating a virtual image so that a user can see the virtual image with a real image through the augmented reality image device.
- In recent years, augmented reality (AR) devices have received lots of attention, and major companies have launched AR platforms. For example, Apple Inc. has released ARkit application interface in 2017. However, existing AR devices are often too heavy or too large. How to design a lighter augmented reality device is a topic of concern to those skilled in the art.
- Embodiments of the invention provide an augmented reality image device including a display having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side; a mirror disposed at the first side of the display; at least one reflector disposed at the second side of the display; and a front mask disposed at the first side of the display, in which the front mask has a reflection area. The display emits image light from the first side to the mirror, the image light is reflected by the mirror to the reflector, and the reflector reflects the image light to the reflection area of the front mask. Accordingly a virtual image caused by the image light in the reflection area is combined with a real image to generate an augmented reality image.
- In some embodiments, the front mask has a reflecting layer including coating films with different refractive index. An average reflectance of the reflecting layer for unpolarized light with wavelength in a range from 400 nm to 700 nm is greater than 50%.
- In some embodiments, the reflector includes a first reflector and a second reflector. The image light includes left-eye image light and right-eye image light. The left-eye image light is reflected by the mirror to the first reflector, and the right-eye image light is reflected by the mirror to the second reflector.
- In some embodiments, the reflection area of the front mask includes a left-eye reflection area and a right-eye reflection area. The first reflector reflects the left-eye image light to the left-eye reflection area, and the second reflector reflects the right-eye image light to the right-eye reflection area.
- In some embodiments, the left-eye image light and the right-eye image light is focused at a distance from a side of the front mask opposite to the display.
- In some embodiments, the distance is substantially one meter.
- In some embodiments, there is a disparity between content of the left-eye image light and content of the right-eye image light such that the virtual image has a three-dimensional object.
- In some embodiments, the display has a display surface for emitting the image light. An angle between the display surface and a surface of the front mask is less than or equal to 45 degrees.
- In some embodiments, the mirror is disposed between the display and the front mask. An angle between the mirror and a surface of the front mask is less than or equal to 45 degrees.
- In some embodiments, the augmented reality image device further includes a support against a noise of a user, in which the reflector is integrated to the support.
- The invention can be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description of the embodiment, with reference made to the accompanying drawings as follows.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of an augmented reality image device in accordance with an embodiment. -
FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the augmented reality image device in accordance with an embodiment. -
FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the augmented reality image device for illustrating a light path in accordance with an embodiment. - The using of “first”, “second”, “third”, etc. in the specification should be understood for identifying units or data described by the same terminology, but are not referred to particular order or sequence.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of an augmented reality image device in accordance with an embodiment. Referring toFIG. 1 , an augmentedreality image device 100 includes adisplay 110, amirror 120, afirst reflector 131, asecond reflector 132, and afront mask 140. Thedisplay 110 may be an organic light-emitting diode (OLEO) display, a liquid crystal display or other devices capable of providing image light. Themirror 120, thefirst reflector 131, and thesecond reflector 132 may include glass, reflective coating, or other films and units that reflect light. Thefront mask 140 is at the front of the user. The material of thefront mask 140 may include glass, resin or, polycarbonate. The augmentedreality image device 100 is implemented based on a snow mask in some embodiments, but the augmentedreality image device 100 may have any appearance in other embodiments. The size, shape, and material of the augmentedreality image device 100 are not limited in the invention. - The
display 110 has afirst side 110 a and asecond side 110 b opposite to thefirst side 110 a. Themirror 120 and thefront mask 140 are disposed at thefirst side 110 a. Themirror 120 is disposed between thedisplay 110 and thefront mask 140. On the other hand, thefirst reflector 131 and thesecond reflector 132 are disposed at thesecond side 110 b. Thedisplay 110 emitsimage light 150 which includes left-eye image light 151 and right-eye image light 152 in some embodiments. Note that the left-eye image light 151 and the right-eye image light 152 are emitted by thesame display 110 instead of two independent displays that are used in prior art. Accordingly, the augmentedreality image device 100 has an advantage of lighter weight. - The left-
eye image light 151 and the right-eye image light 152 is emitted to themirror 120 which reflects the left-eye image light 151 and the right-eye image light 152 to thefirst reflector 131 and thesecond reflector 132 respectively. Thefirst reflector 131 and thesecond reflector 132 reflects theimage light 150 to thefront mask 140 which projects part of theimage light 150 into the user's eyes so that user can see a virtual image. In addition,light 170 from outside of thefront mask 140 is emitted into the eyes, and thus the user also sees a real image which is combined with the virtual image to produce an augmented reality image. - In detail, the
front mask 140 has afirst surface 141 and asecond surface 142 opposite to thefirst surface 141 which faces thedisplay 110. A reflectinglayer 143 is disposed on thefirst surface 141. The reflectinglayer 143 includes multiple coating films with different refractive index where the coating films with high refractive index and the coating films with low refractive are disposed alternatively. An average reflectance of the reflectinglayer 143 with respect to unpolarized light having wavelength in a range from 400 nm to 700 nm is greater than 50% because the wavelength of 400 nm to 700 nm is visible light, and the image rendered on the reflectinglayer 143 may not be clear if the reflectance of the reflectinglayer 143 is too low. The reflectinglayer 143 has afirst reflection area 161 and asecond reflection area 162. Thefirst reflector 131 reflects the left-eye image light 151 to the left-eye reflection area 161 which projects part of the left-eye image light 151 into the left eye of the user. In addition, thesecond reflector 132 reflects the right-eye image light 152 to the right-eye reflection area 162 which projects part of the right-eye image light 152 into the right eye of the user. Note that left-eye reflection area 161 and the right-eye reflection area 162 are just exemplary. The sizes, shapes, and locations of the left-eye reflection area 161 and the right-eye reflection area 162 are not limited in the invention. In some embodiments, the left-eye reflection area 161 and the right-eye reflection area 162 are connected to the each other. - In some embodiments, the left-
eye image light 151 and the right-eye image light 152 is focused at a distance D from a side of thefront mask 140 opposite to thedisplay 110 through focus adjustment. In other words, the user would “see” the virtual image at the distance D. In prior art, theimage light 150 is focused at the reflectinglayer 143 which is too close to the eyes, and thus the user may quickly feel the visual fatigue. In contrast, the virtual image is focused at the distance D, and therefore the visual fatigue is reduced. The distance D is substantially 1 meter (with error within 20%). In other embodiments, the distance D may also be 80 centimeters, 2 meters or any other values. In some embodiments, there is a disparity between the content of the left-eye image light 151 and the content of the right-eye image light 152 such that the virtual image has three-dimensional object. -
FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the augmented reality image device in accordance with an embodiment. Referring toFIG. 1 andFIG. 2 , the augmentedreality image device 100 also includes asupport 160 in some embodiments. Thesupport 160 is against the nose of the user, and thefirst reflector 131 is integrated to thesupport 160. For example, thefirst reflector 131 locates above the bridge of the nose. Note thatFIG. 2 is a side view, and therefore only thefirst reflector 131 is illustrated. However, the second reflector 132 (not shown inFIG. 2 ) is disposed on another support at the other side of the nose. There are tworeflectors display 110 emits only one ray, instead of two, of the image light, which is not limited in the invention. -
FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the augmented reality image device for illustrating a light path in accordance with an embodiment. Referring toFIG. 3 , theimage light 150 is emitted by thedisplay 110 to themirror 120. Themirror 120 reflects theimage light 150 to thefirst reflector 131 and thesecond reflector 132. The image light is reflected by thefirst reflector 131 and thesecond reflector 132 to the reflection areas of thefront mask 140. In the embodiment, thedisplay 110 and themirror 120 are approximately vertical oriented, and thus the horizontal thickness of the augmentedreality image device 100 is reduced. To be specific, thedisplay 110 has a display surface 310 for emitting theimage light 150. An angle θ between the display surface 310 and thefirst surface 141 of the front mask is less than or equal to 45 degrees. In addition, an angle between themirror 120 and thefirst surface 141 is also less than or equal to 45 degrees. - Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the following claims.
Claims (10)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US16/224,766 US10859841B2 (en) | 2018-12-18 | 2018-12-18 | Augmented reality image device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US16/224,766 US10859841B2 (en) | 2018-12-18 | 2018-12-18 | Augmented reality image device |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20200192104A1 true US20200192104A1 (en) | 2020-06-18 |
US10859841B2 US10859841B2 (en) | 2020-12-08 |
Family
ID=71071523
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/224,766 Active 2039-04-26 US10859841B2 (en) | 2018-12-18 | 2018-12-18 | Augmented reality image device |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US10859841B2 (en) |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20150370074A1 (en) * | 2014-06-24 | 2015-12-24 | Fakespace Labs, Inc. | Head Mounted Augmented Reality Display |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2016110831A1 (en) | 2015-01-08 | 2016-07-14 | Ashkelon Eyewear Technologies Ltd | An apparatus and method for displaying content |
CN205982823U (en) | 2016-07-01 | 2017-02-22 | 成都理想境界科技有限公司 | Near -to -eye display system, virtual reality equipment and augmented reality equipment |
CN207408689U (en) | 2017-11-01 | 2018-05-25 | 深圳创维新世界科技有限公司 | Display optical system and wear display device |
-
2018
- 2018-12-18 US US16/224,766 patent/US10859841B2/en active Active
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20150370074A1 (en) * | 2014-06-24 | 2015-12-24 | Fakespace Labs, Inc. | Head Mounted Augmented Reality Display |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US10859841B2 (en) | 2020-12-08 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US11243404B2 (en) | Head-mounted augmented reality display | |
US11598919B2 (en) | Artificial reality system having Bragg grating | |
US9194995B2 (en) | Compact illumination module for head mounted display | |
US10684492B2 (en) | System for imaging in the air | |
US8760765B2 (en) | Optical beam tilt for offset head mounted display | |
US9915823B1 (en) | Lightguide optical combiner for head wearable display | |
US20210302746A1 (en) | Optical system, head-mounted display device and smart glasses | |
US10609364B2 (en) | Pupil swim corrected lens for head mounted display | |
CN111766702A (en) | Near-to-eye display optical system for eyeball tracking | |
CN107065181B (en) | Optical system of virtual reality equipment | |
CN113906327A (en) | Optical element for reducing stray infrared light | |
CN104061533B (en) | Light conduction device, backlight module and display device | |
CN207851337U (en) | A kind of prism for being amplified to image and use its nearly eye display device | |
US20220326521A1 (en) | Optical system, display apparatus, and smart glasses | |
CN107797278A (en) | Head mounted display | |
US10859841B2 (en) | Augmented reality image device | |
CN111965820A (en) | Optical structure and wearable equipment | |
US20190293846A1 (en) | Display screen configured to display viewing position-dependent images | |
TWI677711B (en) | System for augmented reality-image | |
TWI667497B (en) | Augmented reality image device | |
CN210166569U (en) | Augmented reality optical system based on free-form surface and optical waveguide | |
CN111338079A (en) | Virtual and real image integrating device | |
CN215181212U (en) | AR optical system and AR eyeglasses | |
KR20230046885A (en) | Geometric optical apparatus for augmented reality that uses aspherical surfaces to reduce the width | |
KR20200125202A (en) | Optical device for augmented reality preventing light leakage |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: ENTITY STATUS SET TO UNDISCOUNTED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: BIG.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: METAL INDUSTRIES RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CENTRE, TAIWAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CHIEN, JUI-TING;TSENG, SHENG-HSIU;REEL/FRAME:047822/0116 Effective date: 20181211 |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED |
|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
|
MAFP | Maintenance fee payment |
Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 4TH YEAR, LARGE ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M1551); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY Year of fee payment: 4 |